Ananya Panday spoke about the issues girls have to go through when they are on their periods. Sharing her personal experience, she talked about how much more should be spoken about this topic. According to the actress, the stigma continues to this day because people hardly talk about it.
Ananya remembered how quiet it was around her when she got her first period. “As the older child, I got my period before my younger sibling, but there wasn’t much discussion about it at home. A few girls in my class had already started their periods, but it was kept very hush-hush,” she said.
Ananya remembered feeling confused and scared when she first experienced menstruation at school, thinking something was wrong with her. “When I came back home, my mum and my daadi gave me gifts and said that it was something to celebrate. Everybody should be like this to eradicate the shame which is tagged along with it,” she continued.
The Bollywood actor has also teamed up with Whisper as they recently introduced a new product for period flow, making women talk openly about actual period struggles. She also spoke of the challenges of outdoor shootings on location during menstruation.
“When I started acting, a friend asked if I continued to shoot while on my period. We don’t have a choice; life goes on. Some days are easy and hardly noticeable, while other days are a real struggle,” she said, pointing to the discomfort of shooting in settings not exactly offering bathroom facilities.
Ananya stressed the need for communication on such issues. “Shame should never be the answer. It’s essential to talk about it and communicate your needs to your director or crew. Let them know you require a clean washroom to change. In my experience, speaking up has really helped. Asking for what you need can make a difference, even if it makes some people uncomfortable.” Her candid remarks hope to bring better awareness and understanding of menstruation, so as to create a more facilitating atmosphere for women.
